v5.3 21st August 2020

How Do I Enrol?Simply fill out an enrolment form, which you can find at the end of this booklet, and return it to your school’s office, or in person or via email to the Performing Arts Department at MacKillop Catholic College - david.graham@nt.catholic.edu.au. Please familiarise yourself with the included contract and instrument loan agreement.

2

Learn MusicDevelop Your Potential

From the Head of Arts - MacKillop Catholic College

Welcome to the MacKillop Catholic College and Affiliated Primary Schools Music Programme!

At MacKillop, we are lucky to boast one of the most comprehensive and well resourced music programmes in the Northern Territory. Students enrolled in the programme have the opportunity to learn a number of musical instruments during school time. They will have the opportunity to become involved in school ensembles such as the Orchestra, Concert

Band, Stage Band, String Orchestra and Choir, as their skill permits. The benefits of learning a musical instrument are vast, as outlined in the following pages, and we welcome your child to be part of our musical community.

This booklet is designed to help families get the best, most informed start when commencing music lessons with the MacKillop Catholic College and Affiliated Primary Schools Music Programme. Please read this booklet carefully so that your child has the best possible start to their music making journey.

We look forward to your family joining our music department and wish only the best for your child’s musical endeavours. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any queries or concerns.

Sincerely,

David GrahamHead of Arts - MacKillop Catholic College

3

Why Should My Child Learn an Instrument?There is international consensus on the value of music education within our society, especially at school level. Considerable research has been carried out around the world verifying this. As early as the 1950s, a series of experiments carried out in Hungary researched the impact of learning music at primary school. This study, like the many that followed it, produced consistently positive data on the benefits of a musical education.

Music Increases MemoryMusic students show evidence of greater memory capacity. This is an important quality for students to develop to enable higher academic achievement.

Music Improves Reasoning CapacityIn the studies carried out, students who learnt music gained enhanced comprehension skills. A far greater percentage of music students understood a story they were asked to read compared with non-music students.

Music Improves Time Management and OrganisationMusic students are required to sufficiently organise themselves to attend lessons, band rehearsals and performances. This expectation of time and equipment management assists children to develop basic life skills. Music students develop and improve these skills over time with the benefits reflected in their academic achievement and success later in life.

Music Fosters the Development of Team SkillsMusic seeks to improve the student’s team skills, especially when the student is part of an instrumental music program where they are a member of the band and other ensemble groups. As in other team activities, all members have a role to play. All members are important and must learn to work as a team. A recent survey in the USA showed that an average of 20% of high school students are enrolled in an instrumental music program. Look at these figures! The survey revealed that 80% of the academic awards were consistently gained by this 20% group of music students.

4

5

The Benefits of MusicThe quality of a child’s music education is linked to their academic achievement. Musically trained individuals have been demonstrated to have:

• Better memory span and retainment, attention and focus • Improved brain structure and function • Higher IQ • Increased emotional resilience and self confidence • Increased empathy • Improved language skills

6

Did You Know?Music improves concentration, listening ability (both internal and external), reading and comprehension ability, mathematical perception, coordination and ability to maintain a relaxed focus and among other benefits:

Music Is Mathematical

It is rhythmically based on the subdivision of time into fractions which the students must do instantaneously whilst playing their instrument. This enhances their mathematical ability.

Music is a Foreign Language

Most of the musical terms that are used throughout a piece of music are Italian, German or French. The musical notation itself is a highly developed form of shorthand that uses symbols to represent ideas. It is believed to be the most complete and universal language.

Music Is History

Music usually reflects the environment and times of its creation. Students learn a variety of different types of music including folk songs and songs from various cultures and times.

Music Is Physical Education

Learning to play an instrument requires coordination of fingers, hands, arms, cheek and facial muscles in addition to extraordinary control of the diaphragm, back, stomach and chest muscles leading to the development of a higher level of athletic fitness.

Music Improves Your Health

Learning a wind instrument can sometimes help with respiratory disorders such as asthma - because of the development of the lungs that occurs in response to playing these instruments. The area of Music Therapy is vast. It is suffice to say here that the benefits to many health problems are noteworthy.

Music Builds Character

The fostering of self-expression, emotional intelligence and responsibility. The development of discipline, pride, concentration and social communication as well as the development of physical coordination and problem solving skills.

76

8

Fun, Confidence, Excellence.We aim for students: • To strive to achieve to their highest potential •Toenhancetheirself-determination,motivationandconfidence • To learn through encouragement, praise and respect • To be personally challenged by an exciting curriculum

8

MacKillop’s Music Teachers

9

David GrahamHead of Arts (Brass, Woodwind & Percussion Specialist)david.graham@nt.catholic.edu.au

Michelle MillsArts Assistantmichelle.mills@nt.catholic.edu.au

Alphonsus TanMusic Teacher (Strings, Piano & Voice Specialist)alphonsus.tan@nt.catholic.edu.au

Kathryn EzzyCurriculum Coordinator (Guitar, Piano & Voice Specialist)kathryn.ezzy@nt.catholic.edu.au

Josh SpurrMusic Tutor (Percussion Specialist)joshua.spurr@nt.catholic.edu.au

All Goods are Availableto Purchase From:Sounds of Music Shop 202, Casuarina Square, Casuarina NT 0810

Top End Music Centre 1 Mander Rd, Holtze NT 0829

Colourstrings Australia www.colourstrings.com.au

10

10

What Will I Need to Start?Woodwind • Standard of Excellence Book 1 • 5 x size 2 reeds (Clarinet and Saxophones) • Cork Grease (Clarinet and Saxophones) • Cleaning Cloth • Music Stand (For Home Practice) • Exercise Book (48 page) • Display Folder • Pencil

Brass • Standard of Excellence Book 1 • Valve Oil (Trumpet, French Horn, Euphonium, Tuba) • Slide Cream and Spray Bottle (Trombone) • Cleaning Cloth • Music Stand (For Home Practice) • Exercise Book (48 page) • Display Folder • Pencil

Percussion • Standard of Excellence Book 1 • 2A Nylon Tip Drum Sticks • Medium Unwound Mallets • Stick Bag (Optional) • Music Stand (For Home Practice) • Exercise Book (48 page) • Display Folder • Pencil

Strings • Colourstrings Book A (Violin, Viola & Cello) • Shoulder Rest (Violin and Viola) • Rosin • Cleaning Cloth • Music Stand (For Home Practice) • Exercise Book (48 page) • Display Folder • Pencil

Piano • Exercise Book (48 page) • Display Folder • Pencil

Voice • Exercise Book (48 page) • Display Folder • Pencil

11

Fee and Lesson StructureFor prices and details see Music Department Contract at the end of this booklet

Fees for the department are outlined on the Music Department contract found at the end of this booklet. Upon joining the music program you will agree to accept all the terms and conditions as well as adhere to all billing instructions. MacKillop Catholic College Music Department reserves the right to obtain updated address and contact information from all affiliated Schools for billing and communication purposes.

PaymentAll payments are due within 30 days of the invoice date.

In Person Payment can be made by cash, EFTPOS, cheque or credit card. Office hours are between 8.00am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday.

EFT Electronic funds transfer – from your bank to ours. Account name: MacKillop Catholic College Debtor Reference: Reference can be found on remittance advice above parent/guardian name or by following this format: (LASTNAME – IMU) i.e. SMITH - IMU BSB: 085-933 Acc: 396042505 Please ensure you use the correct reference; otherwise delays in processing may occur.

Cheque Make your cheque payable to MacKillop Catholic College and mail to PO Box Palmerston NT 0831. Please ensure you write your debtor reference on the back of the cheque, otherwise a delay in processing may occur.

Credit Card You can pay your account over the phone by calling 08 8930 5757 Please have your Visa, MasterCard or Bankcard number plus your account debtor reference available.

Invoices are generated each term after the Term cut off dates. Important Term dates are outlined below:

TERM 1 TERM 2 TERM 3 TERM 4

Lessons Commence: Lessons Commence: Lessons Commence: Lessons Commence:Week 3 Week 2 Week 3 Week 2

Cut off: Cut off: Cut off: Cut off: Week 5 Week 4 Week 5 Week 4

Please do not send any payment with this form – MacKillop Catholic College will forward all relevant forms and invoices.

Please note that if enrolment situation changes, fees can be refunded on a pro rata basis.

Families/students no longer wishing to take part in person will need to give written notification. Refunds will be given only on a term basis.

12

CommunicationCommunication is paramount to the success of the program and any upcoming events and news is posted in both the College calendar and MacKillop Catholic Colleges’ fortnightly newsletter. Both the calendar and fortnightly newsletter are available from the school office, mail or via email. Primary school students are to seek these documents directly from the College or from their relevant teacher.

Practice ExpectationsAs an active member of the music department your son/daughter is expected to complete at least 30 minutes of practice per day. This can only be achieved with parental input. Whether these 30 minutes are completed in one session or two 15 minute sessions is up to the respective musicians and their families. Any less than 15 minutes is not recommended as the practice is too short for concentrated work.

Parental input is necessary for your child’s success. Parents should aim to become active participants in their child’s practice and should position themselves within earshot of their son/daughter while they practise. (E.g. 30 minutes practice can be completed in the living room during meal preparation, within proximity of an adult). This allows for the parent to monitor whether the child is on task and completing efficient and effective practice.

EnsemblesParticipation in all ensembles is fundamental to the development of a good musical ear and will greatly improve the musical skills of your child. Parents should to take a ‘compulsory’ approach to ensembles to ensure the musical success of their child.

As a department, it is our dream to cultivate a rich musical experience that transverses the divide between primary and secondary schooling. At MacKillop we firmly believe that the future is in the hands of our youngsters so the honour to play with a secondary ensemble should not be taken lightly. Your child has pushed themselves hard on their instruments thus far and it is the wish of their relevant teacher for them to extend themselves in a secondary ensemble.

As part of this ensemble, the students must understand that in order for the group to perform at its best, punctuality and regular attendance is essential. Once again, students taking part in these ensembles are expected to practise their ensemble music each day and will be required to behave during rehearsals in a manner that reflects their status as the brilliant young adults which we believe them to be.

13

Performance UniformsFORMAL UNIFORM • White Shirt (Male: Long Sleeve, Female: Long or ¾ Sleeves) • Black Trousers (Male & Female), Black full length Skirt (Female) • Black Leather Shoes • Black Socks • Waistcoat (supplied by MCC) • Tie (Male only- supplied by MCC) • Hair: In compliance with MacKillop Catholic College Policy. Male: Neat, Tidy. Female: Tied back • Jewelry: In compliance with MacKillop Catholic College Policy.

INFORMAL UNIFORM A • Music Dept. Polo shirt (supplied by MCC) • Black Trousers • Black Leather Shoes • Black Socks

INFORMAL UNIFORM B • MacKillop Music Dept. Polo shirt (supplied by MCC) • MACKILLOP MALE: MacKillop Formal Uniform School Shorts • MACKILLOP FEMALE: MacKillop Formal Uniform Skort and/or Senior Skirt. • PRIMARY SCHOOL: Primary School Formal shorts/skirt • Black Leather Shoes • School socks

14

Sounds Great!How do I Sign Up?To start your musical journey, arrange a meeting with one of our music department staff by calling (08) 8930 5717 or by email Mr Graham at david.graham@nt.catholic.edu.au.

You will be required to sign these forms (included in this book):

Instrumental Music Lessons Sign-Up Form

Musical Instrument Loan Agreement Form

Once these forms are completed, simply return them to your school’s office, or in person or via email to the Performing Arts Department at MacKillop Catholic College - david.graham@nt.catholic.edu.au. Please familiarise yourself with the information in these agreements.

We look forward to getting to know you and being a part of your musical career!

15

285 Farrar Blvd Johnston, NT 0832

(08) 8930 5717

www.mackillopnt.catholic.edu.au/teaching-learning/extracurricular/music

david.graham@nt.catholic.edu.au

facebook.com/mackillopcollege.nt